Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-28


THE West Cork Eagle published al
Skibbereen, ireland has the following to
say in recent issue of the deplorable
condition of the long-suffering Irish peo
pie:
What with agitation. coercion, and emf
grafton, Ireland is today. perhaps one Of
the most distracted and discontinued
countries in Europe. In every direction,
and in every town, from the Irish metrop
oils even down to the smallest village
meetings are being held by all classes
Landlords excepted) irrespective OF
creed. to protest against the drastic
clauses of the crimes act now passing
through parliament, and which will, it is
believed, become law within the space OF
Il few weeks, notwithstanding the un
mistakable utterances of the great major
ity of the Irish people four tifths at
least-that 1t is unjust, impolitic, cruel,
and unnecessary. The National League,
it need scarcely be said, has raised It's
warning and powerful voice, while the
protestant home rule association, headed
by three protestant clergymen-Professor
Galbraith, Fellow of Trinity college, an
institution of well-known loyalty and
worldwide fame; the Rev. MIR. Nj
Cutcheon, Rector of Kenmare; and tb,
Rev. Mr. Andersen. rector of Drinagh-
has been equally emphatic in its pro
nouncement against Coercion. Instance,
too, the extraordinary fact that two
Catholic priests are confined in pris on
cell for their connection with the "PlaB
of Campaign" and that the agitation
nay, revoluuon-Hhich has leo
up to this deplorahle state of things is
daily increasing instead of diminishing
while promised government scheme
threatens to break existing leases. mus
giving, il might be said. the last bog to
ii land system which has brought ruin oE
this unfortunate country. md created d
rebellious spirit and just dI-content thai
it is found difficult, IT not impossible, to
cope with 10 the absence of suitable rem
edial measures How truly il may be
said that Ireland now presents II sad, sad
picture, dsheartrning appearance. il
this year of Jubiiee-this Year of Eng
lands rejoicing that her beloved Victoria
has passed safely through the tlftietb
wear of her reign While England shouts
for Joy. alas! unfortunate Ireland, steep
ed in misery and wretchedness, weeps IL
weighed down. as she is by
landlord greed and tyranny. so week, SC
helpless, and so poor that poverty alone
prevents the few of Ter stalwart sons and
daughters who remain, from emigrating
with the thousands that weekly leave
our shores, and who, while we write. fl
from their miserable homes and the land
of their birth as if both were plague
stricken. The present condition Of
Ireland is, indeed, melancholy tC
contemplate, so distressing - aftel
such long effort and complete
break down of British rule-that it seem,
matter OF surprise to any reflective
mind that home rule would not be cheer
fully tried. if not finally granted Under
Hottentot government. If such an as
sembly could be formed, Ireland coulr
not, commercially or socially, be in 8
worse position than she is today. How
does she stand this mnment-in this jubi
lee year, in this enlightened and inteiiec-
tual nineteenth century. in this wonder
full age of science aud human progress?
From once proud and distinguished pO
siliOn among the nations of the earth sht
lies debased. PROSTATE and low, with the
prospect before her of being shackled
handcuffed, aud degraded by coercion
agitated, disheartened and almost driven
mad by unjust land laws, with the coun-
try depopulated by an annual emigration
that this year assumes the alarming pro
portions of fearful exodus God hell
poor Ireland then. He helps those, We
are told, who help themselves. and with
a forbesring. self reliant attitude, acting
a manly part, and ahstaining from law
less deeds, long suffering and cruelty
used people. individually must eventually
emerge triumphantly from the crucible o.
persecution.